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  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
The Hand That Feeds: The Complex Relations of Human-Animal Feeding

The Hand That Feeds: The Complex Relations of Human-Animal Feeding

Mullan, Alexander
Smallman, Riley
de Bondt, Herre

Paperback

AnthropologyZoology

Currently unavailable to order

ISBN10: 1800088329
ISBN13: 9781800088320
Publisher: UCL Press
Published: Nov 5 2025
Pages: 256
Weight: 1.31
Height: 0.50 Width: 6.18 Depth: 9.26
Language: English
Whether driven by affection or necessity, our feeding practices redefine the relationships between species; sometimes with profound and unexpected consequences.

Feeding animals is never a neutral act--whether in zoos, farms, backyards, or city streets, it shapes relationships, environments, and even entire ecosystems. The Hand that Feeds takes a deeper look into the complex and often-overlooked dynamics of human-animal feeding, moving beyond its utilitarian functions to explore the emotional, ethical, and ecological entanglements it creates. Through case studies spanning history to the present, this work discloses how feeding alters animal behaviors and reflects broader cultural and moral values. Why do we nurture some animals while exterminating others? How do feeding practices blur the lines between wild and domesticated life? What happens when acts of care lead to unintended harm?

Addressing everything from garden bird feeders to contested urban wildlife policies, the authors illuminate the deep significance of food in human-animal interactions. An invigorating read for scholars in environmental studies, anthropology, and history, The Hand that Feeds challenges us to reconsider the act of feeding as a powerful force in shaping multispecies worlds.

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